| 1. Necessary Evil | | | | you can from your mind on to your paper, then |
| Gone are the days when number-crunching alone | | | | organize only the relevant points into a logical |
| could get you through accounting exams. | | | | order-so that the marker doesn't have to jump |
| Examiners expect to see evidence of good | | | | back and forth to work out what you mean. |
| written communication skills,reflecting the changing | | | | Practice doing all this-fast-with past papers and |
| role of finance professionals in business. How you | | | | under full exam conditions. |
| present an argument (why you handle | | | | 3. Perpetual editor |
| transactions in a certain way, or the pros and | | | | As you write, keep an eye out for where you |
| cons of alternative courses of action) requires | | | | can tighten your sentences, use better |
| you to demonstrate clarity of thought, a rational | | | | vocabulary, or convey your message more |
| approach, and an economic but effective way | | | | effectively. Don't ramble to give the impression of |
| with words.This you can learn. | | | | having covered the question thoroughly-padding is |
| 2. Cunning Plan | | | | more visible than you think; instead, prune |
| You don't have time on your side-so sketch out | | | | ruthlessly. Put yourself in the marker's shoes: does |
| the main points you plan to cover while putting | | | | what you are writing actually answer the question |
| together a loose essay structure, ensuring you | | | | or have you gone off at a tangent? Nobody |
| cover everything the examiner has asked for | | | | scores marks for off-the-wall thinking stick to the |
| before you begin writing. Download as much as | | | | examiner's agenda. |